Power in Texas has held up, despite record demand and past blackouts. Regulatory actions help but carry some costs and risks. The rapid growth of solar offers more durable aid, if not a solution, writes rob_cyran.
Power lines are seen during a heat wave with expected temperatures of 102 F in Dallas, Texas, U.S. June 12, 2022. REUTERS/Shelby Tauber//File Photoin 2021 left millions without power. So far, record demand hasn’t crashed it this summer. Regulatory actions such as forcing plants to run more often help somewhat. The rapid growth of solar offers more durable aid.
The Energy Reliability Council of Texas runs a power grid that supplies over 25 million customers. Its job is getting harder as demand increases thanks to population growth and wild swings in temperature, including a prolonged heat wave already this summer. Moreover, Texas’ grid is largely separate from other big national ones. So Texas needs more power, especially on hot days for air conditioning. It’s being tested, as Monday’s demand hit 79 gigawatts.
To prevent a repeat of last winter, ERCOT is running the grid more conservatively. Users are paid to curtail demand earlier, while gas and coal plants are compelled to run more often. The independent market monitor for ERCOT estimated the cost at $1.5 billion this year, which customers will pay.Building more out-of-state transmission would improve reliability but incur increased Federal oversight. That’s a nonstarter for most Texas politicians, who fear higher costs.
Yet a lack of interconnections with other grids contributed to last year’s outages. Compelling providers to produce more often –Increased supply, especially from ever-cheaper solar, is helping. Solar provided 6.5% of April’s electricity supply, compared to 4.6% last year. Production also peaks at midday when demand is high.
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